Will and the Valentine Saint by Devon Summer

Author:Devon, Summer [Devon, Summer]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: workplace romance, gay historical, glbt romance, gay 1st time, virgin hero, valentine romance, victorian era romance, opposites attract, holiday romance
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

Will entered the office building the following day with the trepidation of an actor who hasn’t properly memorized lines facing opening night. He didn’t know what he would say when he saw St. John again. Or he supposed he might think of him as Hugh now that they’d had their tongues entwined.

He felt awful about fleeing as he had, but with the entrance of that damned butler at the most inopportune moment, it seemed the right thing to do. A pause was in order while they both considered the significance of having an affair.

Will knew he’d rushed in impetuously last night, but he’d imagined a tryst between two experienced men. He’d had no idea St. John was such a…well, the word “saint” came to mind, although that wasn’t really right. An “innocent” might be more appropriate. Wrong or right, his virgin status changed things. Too much emotion might be involved, and Will wouldn’t hurt tender Hugh for anything in the world.

Of course, there was the added fact of Will’s lies. No, surely that was too strong a label for what he’d done to get the job at the Society. Exaggerations, or perhaps simply his hidden background. Hugh had told him his deepest secret, but the man still knew little about who Will really was. Before they could take the next step, Will must come clean about those falsified letters, his lack of actual work experience, and his background in theater—a business which most respectable people disdained. If these things mattered to Hugh, Will would find out soon enough.

Not yet, though. Right after the Valentine dinner was over. There was no need to rattle Hugh when he faced a big event like that.

Will took a breath and entered the office as if it were a normal day. He walked into a confrontation between Hugh and one of the Society’s barristers, a man named Jacquard.

“I’m sorry, St. John, as I’ve told my clerk and several solicitors, I can’t continue volunteering for your cause. I’ve finished my last case and request you don’t contact me again.” The gentleman in the gray suit rose from his seat to put a period on the conversation. “Unfortunately, we live in a world of commerce. I cannot donate my time for a pittance.”

Hugh rose too. “I’m sorry to hear that, Mr. Jacquard. If you ever feel you can spare even a few hours for one case, the Society would greatly appreciate anything you can give.”

“Good day, sir.” The flushed man hurried past Will without acknowledgment, obviously eager to have the meeting over.

After the door closed behind him, Hugh slumped into his seat. “That’s the second barrister we’ve lost this month. At this rate, we won’t have any business for our donors to support.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.” Will crossed to his desk but didn’t sit down. How to proceed? It was easier to talk about work than what had transpired last night, so he stuck to the topic at hand. “Perhaps if the dinner to solicit funds is successful, the Society could offer better payment to the lawyers.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.